THINGS WE WON’T HEAR THIS WEEK – “I think what is increasingly clear is that we have a spectator in chief instead of a commander in chief” (Newt Gingrich, March 18) … “Mr. President, your hesitation and vacillation in the Middle East breed uncertainty. It’s symptomatic of the puzzling way you govern” (Sarah Palin, April 26) … “Freedom has been our watchword, our anchor and our moral guide for nearly every cause both here and abroad. But today, we have lost this mission because our president doesn't believe in it” (Rick Santorum, April 28)

ROMNEY, PAWLENTY CONGRATULATE OBAMA – ONLY 2012-ERS TO DO SO – Mitt Romney: “This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist” … Tim Pawlenty: “In the hours after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush promised that America would bring Osama bin Laden to justice — and we did. I want to congratulate America's armed forces and President Obama for a job well done. Let history show that the perseverance of the US military and the American people never wavered.”
BACK IN THE NORMAL POLITICAL NEWS CYCLE … ACCELERATION: The pace of the presidential race continues to pick up, with the first debate scheduled and several new faces on the national circuit. Here are the big events to watch this week:
- May 4: Mitch Daniels gives a speech on education at the American Enterprise Institute;
- May 5: Several candidates – including Pawlenty, Santorum, Buddy Roemer, Herman Cain and Ron Paul – will participate in a debate hosted by Fox and the South Carolina Republican Party;
- May 6: The S.C. GOP holds its Silver Elephant Dinner, where presidential contenders may be in attendance;
- May 7: Jon Huntsman gives a commencement address at the University of South Carolina.